Porto: Wines of Portugal – International Conference – top 12 Touriga Nacionals

2008 Touriga Nacional, Quinta das Marias, Dão

The top 12 as chosen by an international panel including Jancis Robinson MW and Neal Martin.

Alfaraz Touriga Nacional 2008- Alentejo

Churchill's Estates Touriga Nacional 2008- Douro

Encontro Touriga Nacional 2008- Bairrada

Herdade São Miguel Touriga Nacional 2008- Alentejo

Inquieto Touriga Nacional 2008- Douro

Marques dos Vales Grace 2008 – Algarve
Munda 2008 – Dão

Pedra Cancela Touriga Nacional 2008- Dão

Quinta da Pedra Alta Touriga Nacional 2007- Douro

Quinta das Marias 2008- Dão
Quinta do Cardo Touriga Nacional 2008– Beira Interior
Quinta do Vallado Touriga Nacional 2008- Douro

Palacio da Bolsa: the arabesque room

During the gala dinner last night at the magnificent Palacio da Bolsa we tasted a number of Touriga Nacionals including some of those selected as the top 12. It has to be said that a number were disappointing – some over-extracted and a little hot with alcohol. My favourite was the 2008 Quinta das Marias. It also seemed to be the table's favourite as the bottle level was the lowest of all the assembled bottles of Touriga.

Tasting these Tourigas reinforced my growing feeling that Touriga tends to be better as part of a blend rather than as a single variety. A number of the wines seemed incomplete needing one or two more varieties to soften it out and to add further complexity. This was confirmed this morning by Rui Reguinga, one of the speakers at the Touriga Nacional grape variety session. Dão, the home of Touriga Nacional, seems to be the only place where Reguinea and Luis Lopes, also on the panel, feel that 100% Touriga is a success.